Scared. Optimistic, but scared.

Manufred

Open Cut for me

I would not be agonising over this.  If the good doctor prefers an open cut procedure, go with him. No big deal and allows him more options.  You will recover from the Op, and you end up with a nice big scar to wear as a badge of honour.

Best Wishes, fred

trp61

Manufred said:

Open Cut for me

I would not be agonising over this.  If the good doctor prefers an open cut procedure, go with him. No big deal and allows him more options.  You will recover from the Op, and you end up with a nice big scar to wear as a badge of honour.

Best Wishes, fred

Ha! Thanks, Fred!

Ha! Thanks, Fred!

citizenklaw

trp61 said:

Open vs Laparoscopic -- I Need Your Opinion Please

I am scheduled for a partial nephrecotomy on 4/1/19 due to a 3.2 cm tumor in the kidney. I'm 61 years old in relatively good health except for being 280 lbs. with considerable belly fat. I have the best doctor in the area set to perform the surgery using an open incision. He will not use laparoscopy because he intends to remove only a portion of the kidney. But, he stated he may have to take the entire kidney once he begins. My dilemma is that the clock is ticking and I am torn with 3 options...

A.) Do I continue with the scheduled open surgery, trusting that the great doctor will do what he can to ease my recovery, with the chance I lose only a part of my kidney? 

B.) Do I pursue someone who believes can perform the surgery laparoscopically, knowing I'll lose my entire kidney?

C.) Or do I postpone the scheduled open surgery (risking spreading) to seek an expert willing to perfom a partial nephrectomy via a minimally invasive method? (I know of no one.)

D.) Or is there yet a better option?

PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ASAP. THANK YOU ALL!!

I went with the robotic laparoscopy...

Mine was considerably bigger than yours. TBH, I'm no longer the slim strapping lad I used to be back in college. I am overweight, and I have a good 'Dad' beer pouch on my belly. That said, the surgery went without issue and they took everything out. 

I'm recent on this, but my advice? Go with what the doctor recommends. I'm about a week out, still with some pain around the incision areas, but otherwise functional. I don't know what my recovery time would have been with the open alternative.

a_oaklee

trp61 said:

Open vs Laparoscopic -- I Need Your Opinion Please

I am scheduled for a partial nephrecotomy on 4/1/19 due to a 3.2 cm tumor in the kidney. I'm 61 years old in relatively good health except for being 280 lbs. with considerable belly fat. I have the best doctor in the area set to perform the surgery using an open incision. He will not use laparoscopy because he intends to remove only a portion of the kidney. But, he stated he may have to take the entire kidney once he begins. My dilemma is that the clock is ticking and I am torn with 3 options...

A.) Do I continue with the scheduled open surgery, trusting that the great doctor will do what he can to ease my recovery, with the chance I lose only a part of my kidney? 

B.) Do I pursue someone who believes can perform the surgery laparoscopically, knowing I'll lose my entire kidney?

C.) Or do I postpone the scheduled open surgery (risking spreading) to seek an expert willing to perfom a partial nephrectomy via a minimally invasive method? (I know of no one.)

D.) Or is there yet a better option?

PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ASAP. THANK YOU ALL!!

Trp 61

The first surgeon we saw was too excited to take out my husbands entire kidney.  When I asked how many times has he done this surgery, he got rude.  (We live in a rural community).  I've always known it's better to do minimal removal of kidney tissue, with the least amount of trauma.  Our PCP scheduled an appt at a major medical center in the city with an experienced surgeon with robotics.  It was the right decision for us to get a second opinion and to at least try to have a laparoscopic removal.  I think you do have time to get a quick referral.  We were seen within 1 week.  My husbands tumor was 4.5 cm..

I dont think the amount of weight that you are describing will affect your surgery.  Good question for both doctors.  Let them reassure you.  I would not delay surgery while you try to lose weight.  That's a bad idea.

Dont let anyone be nonchalant about the fact that you can easily function with one kidney.  Like it's no big deal.  It is true you can function with one kidney, but the sparing of part of your affected kidney puts you in a better situation.

Let us know what you decide.  Best wishes.

HLee

Large tumor

I pray that things are moving alone fine for you.  Don't blame yourself but making healthy decisions from here is a great idea.  i had a large tumor on the outside of my left kidney.  The ct scan said my tumor was 11cm.  The tumor actually measured 20cm when it was out.  Surgery went well. I have a huge incession because the tumor was in my vena cava.  Recovery went well.  That has been a year and a half ago.  You got this.

citizenklaw

HLee said:

Large tumor

I pray that things are moving alone fine for you.  Don't blame yourself but making healthy decisions from here is a great idea.  i had a large tumor on the outside of my left kidney.  The ct scan said my tumor was 11cm.  The tumor actually measured 20cm when it was out.  Surgery went well. I have a huge incession because the tumor was in my vena cava.  Recovery went well.  That has been a year and a half ago.  You got this.

Wow!!

I am humbled. Mine was not anywhere outside of the kidney and here I am moping!!!

I'm drawing good vibes from you.